BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Irrigation Department has issued a warning to residents living along the banks of the Chao Phraya River in 11 provinces, cautioning them about rising water levels. The warning comes as the department accelerates the release of water from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat’s Sanphaya district following the arrival of floodwaters from Northern provinces and the forecast of additional rainfall in the coming days.
The 11 provinces affected by the warning include Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Lopburi, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok. The department’s acting director-general, Dej Lekwichai, has instructed each provincial governor to ensure that residents, especially those in low-lying areas, are prepared for potential overflows.
As of Saturday (Aug 24), water was being released from the Chao Phraya Dam at a rate of 649 cubic meters per second, but this flow is expected to increase to between 700 and 900 cubic meters per second. This could raise downstream water levels by 0.40 to 0.80 meters. Areas outside flood levees, such as Phong Pheng Canal in Ang Thong and parts of Sena and Phak Hai districts in Ayutthaya, are now at risk of flooding. (NNT)
